UNITED'S left-back merry-go-round could grind to a halt if Southampton's Gareth Bale is snapped up by Tottenham instead of the Reds.

All United's senior No 3s - Gabriel Heinze, Patrice Evra and Mikael Silvestre - are interesting foreign suitors.

Clubs in Italy, France and Spain had been alerted to a potential mini-clearout to make way for 17-year-old Welsh international Bale's arrival.

But the Premiership champions are going to have to be quick if they still want to add Bale to the squad as Tottenham have leapt to the head of the queue with a bid reportedly accepted. Spurs have had a bid for Bale on the table since the January transfer window.

They have reportedly offered £6m in cash and then add-ons that would take the fee eventually up to around £10m.

Saints want money in quickly to keep their head above water and though manager George Burley is still talking up the possibility of keeping Bale it is believed the club have resigned themselves to losing him.

The player has just one-year left on his contract and Southampton do not want to lose out on a windfall next summer when he'd be a free agent.

Bale had been for talks at White Hart Lane in January but decided to stay on until the end of the season at St Mary's Stadium.

But Tottenham's bid still stands and they are said to now be in pole position.

Interest

If United are still keen they cannot afford to dally but if their interest has cooled, then it could put the brakes on sales.

Heinze, Evra and Silvestre, who have all contested the left-back berth this campaign, are all on various shopping lists for the summer.

United’s 2005 Player of the Year Heinze is the most likely departure as he can buy out the remainder of his two-year contract by law having served three years of the five-year deal he signed in 2004 when moving from he signed for £7.9m from Paris St Germain for £7.9m.

Now Juventus, long-term suitors of the Argentinian, are back in Serie A a move to Italy could tempt Heinze.

Valencia and Villarreal are also understood to be monitoring his situation at Old Trafford, which is no longer as rock-solid as it once was.

Evra’s injuries forced him to concede the left-back battle late on after his early-season form won him Fergie’s vote. But now he is in Barcelona’s sights.

The Spaniards are looking to replace Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and are impressed by Evra’s speed and attacking ability from defence.

Silvestre wants to remain at Old Trafford but Lyon are keen again, having been rejected by the defender in January 2006.

If United trump Tottenham’s bid for Bale then one of the current left backs is almost certain to depart.

Even if they don’t Heinze might voluntarily trim the numbers in the department anyway.

Who is your ideal combination for left-backs at United? Have your say.